Sustainable Substitutes for OneNote

A Note-Taking app by Microsoft without end-to-end encryption.

Reasons to avoid OneNote

Avoid OneNote, because it comes with privacy concerns as Microsoft falsely claims to be GDPR compliant. OneNote comes with unnecessary AI integration, making it waste energy.

Microsoft deploys tax avoidance schemes, supports the Trump regime and is known for greenwashing their data centres.

Go with ethical Note-Taking alternatives instead.

Ethical and Sustainable OneNote Alternatives

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  • Feasibility: How easily can the average user switch to this substitute? Higher feasibility results in a higher ranking.
  • Editor's Rating: How sustainable is the substitute? The more sustainability attributes it fulfils, the higher it is ranked.
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HedgeDoc

A free and open-source collaborative markdown editor ideal for self-hosting.

HedgeDoc is completely free of advertisements.
HedgeDoc is fully open-source, allowing anyone to contribute to or modify the codebase.
HedgeDoc does not track users, and data control rests with the instance administrator, making it privacy-friendly.
HedgeDoc can be used without creating an account, especially on public instances.
HedgeDoc is free to use, though hosting costs may apply if self-hosting.
HedgeDoc is designed to be self-hosted, giving users full control over their instance and data.
Website

Nextcloud Notes

Nextcloud is a German self-hostable, open-source cloud storage and collaboration platform.

Nextcloud is designed to be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
Nextcloud syncs files to your device. You can edit files offline and changes will sync automatically once you reconnect to the internet.
Nextcloud is based in Germany, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
Nextcloud’s core software is fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and community-driven development.
Nextcloud does not track users or sell personal data, ensuring a private and secure experience with optional end-to-end encryption.
Nextcloud is ad free and does not monetise user-data.
Nextcloud is fully compatible with Microsoft Office and OpenDocument formats.
Nextcloud allows for real-time same-document collaboration.
Some third party providers offer free plans with up to 5GB of storage. The self-hostable community edition is free and without licensing costs.
Nextcloud became the first cloud software platform to earn the Blauer Engel ecolabel, emphasizing environmental responsibility.
Website

Standard Notes

An open-source note-taking app with a focus on privacy and security via end-to-end encryption.

Standard Notes is designed with privacy as a core principle, using end-to-end encryption for all user data.
Standard Notes is ad-free, providing a clean and distraction-free note-taking experience.
Standard Notes is fully open-source, allowing for community review and contributions, ensuring transparency and trust.
Since its acquisition by Proton, Standard Notes is based in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
Standard Notes works offline, allowing users to access and edit notes without an internet connection.
Standard Notes can be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
Standard Notes offers a free tier, with optional paid plans for additional features and to support the project.
Website

Cryptpad Code

CryptPad is a French secure, collaborative Google Docs alternative.

CryptPad allows for real-time same-document collaboration.
Cryptpad is fully open-source, allowing for community review and contributions, ensuring transparency and trust.
Cryptpad supports open data standards and is fully compatible with Microsoft Office and open document formats.
Cryptpad offers a free tier, with optional paid plans for additional features and to support the project.
Cryptpad can be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
Cryptpad is designed with privacy as a core principle, using end-to-end encryption for all user data.
Cryptpad is based in France, ensuring compliance with GDPR and strong European privacy laws.
CryptPad is ad-free, providing a clean and distraction-free collaborative experience.
Website

Joplin

Joplin is an extensible, open-source note-taking app, working offline and anonymously.

Joplin supports self-hosting, giving users the option to host their own sync server.
Joplin is free of advertisements.
Joplin is fully open-source, allowing users to audit, modify, or contribute to the code.
Joplin offers end-to-end encryption for syncing, ensuring that user data remains private.
Joplin does not require an account for local use, making it accessible without registration.
Joplin is free to use, with optional paid cloud sync services.
Joplin supports plugins, allowing users to add custom functionality.
Joplin is fully functional offline, syncing changes when an internet connection is available.
Website
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Obsidian

A flexible and open app for storing and publishing notes on any device.

Obsidian works fully offline, as it relies on local files that sync when a connection is available.
Obsidian supports a robust plugin ecosystem, enabling users to extend its functionality.
Obsidian does not require an account for local use, allowing users to work entirely offline if desired.
Obsidian is free for local use, with optional paid features for syncing and publishing.
Obsidian prioritises local-first storage, and any syncing is opt-in and encrypted, ensuring user privacy.
Obsidian does not display any advertisements.
Website

The 8 main issues with OneNote

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

OneNote does not have end-to-end encryption, forcing users to trust Microsoft not use the contents and metadata of their notes for data-mining, ad-targeting and AI-training.Source: Wikipedia: Criticism of Microsoft > Privacy Issues

No Carbon Neutrality Goals - No goals for carbon neutrality is a bad sign as it shows lack of commitment to holding crucial thresholds for global climate warming.

Microsoft has delayed its carbon neutrality targets and relies heavily on carbon offsets rather than direct emissions reductions, undermining its sustainability claims. Source: Computerworld: Can Microsoft build massive AI data centers and meet climate goals without “greenwashing”?CarbonCredits: Microsoft Buys 3.5 Million Carbon Credits to Offset AI’s Soaring Emissions

Exploitative Labour Practices - Poor working conditions and low wages for workers involved in production or services.

Microsoft has faced criticism for poor working conditions and inadequate wages in its supply chain, including data center operations and hardware production. Source: Wikipedia: Criticism of Microsoft

Lack of Transparency - Opacity in operations, data handling, or supply chains, making it difficult for users to understand practices.

Microsoft claims to enable GDPR compliancy with its EU located servers, but the US CLOUD act stands in direct conflict to these claims.Heise: Microsoft's sovereignty debacle: Between "flowery advertising" and "no panic" (2025)

AI Bloat - Service has unnecessary or harmful AI features.

Copilot is pushed into almost all Microsoft products, including OneNote.Source: ZDNET: Microsoft 365 Copilot AI tool headed to OneNote. Here's what it can do for you (2023)

Tax Avoidance - Aggressive strategies are being deployed to avoid paying taxes.

Microsoft is known for using aggressive tax avoidance schemes and has been fined for it. Source: The Guardian: This article is more than 11 years old US tech giants launch fierce fightback against global tax avoidance crackdown (2015)

Support of Authoritarian Regimes - Companies actively supporting, financing and legitimising regimes and unethical policies.

Microsoft is financing Donald Trumps plans to create a new ballroom in the white house, hoping to benefit from upcoming laws. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella donated $1 Million to Trumps inauguration fund.Sources: OpenSecrets: Trump ballroom donors poised to benefit from AI plan they helped shape (2026)The Verge: Tech’s shift to Trump: all the companies and execs kissing the ring (2025)

Big Tech - Big Tech companies do not nourish people and planet. This is especially true in times of political tension.

Microsoft is one of the largest tech companies, contributing to market monopolisation and locking users into proprietary, cloud-dependent ecosystems. Source: heise online: Germany falls into the data trap in the Microsoft cloud

Suggestions and Feedback

If you have suggestions for more alternatives or general feedback, please contact me via email or create an issue over on Codeberg. Suggest Substitute on Codeberg Write an Email